Your best IELTS study partner

Thanks to A who recently took the IELTS test in Mandalay, Burma we can share these topics and questions:

Listening test

Section 1. Phone enquiry about an office rental including the required facilities (essential, desirable and so on).

Section 2. Information about different kinds of whales including their behaviour and photos.

Section 3, 4. Don’t remember.

Reading test

Passage 1. A research about functions of brain in general and memory in particular. Different types of memory were discussed, semantic and episodic.

Passage 2, 3. Don’t remember.

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a report)

We were given an emergency exit plan of the second floor of a student accommodation with fire exits A and B for rooms 1 to 8, two ladders, and a lift. We had to write a description of the exit plan.

Writing task 2 (an essay)

Nowadays some governments encourage industrial factories and businesses to move out of large cities. Is it a positive or negative development? Discuss and give your opinion.

Speaking test

Interview

– What is your full name? – Can I see your ID? – Where are you from? – Do you work or study? – What do you do for a job? – Do you enjoy your work? – What kind of music do you like? – Did your taste in music change since you were younger? – Why do you like this kind of music? – Do you listen to other kinds of music? – What kind of benefits do you get from listening to music? – Is there anything you would like to do if you had more free time?

Cue Card

Describe something good that you do to help others. Please say

– What do you do? – Whom do you help? Why? – How do you feel about it?

Discussion

– Is there anything else you do to help others? – Do you think countries are obligated to share their research discoveries with other countries? – Do you think natural disasters are consequences of the nature or caused by human beings? – Do you think countries should help one another in times of disasters?

A test taker from Canada (thanks, R!) shared the topics and questions from a recent exam:

Listening test

Section 1. A survey about a resort.

Section 2. Two students were allocating responsibilities for a research on an old city.

Section 3. Based on the research a map has been prepared and we had to identify places on it.

Section 4. About some weed species that take over the native plants, and measures to control and eliminate them.

Reading test

Passage 1. Instructions for an online job application.

Passage 2. Electricians in Ontario, a detailed text on how to get trained, get a job and who controls it.

Passage 3. Don’t remember.

Passage 4. Dreamwear – a text about various types of special clothes and fabrics and their usage.

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a letter)

You have moved recently into an apartment and found a few things that weren’t working. Write a letter to the landlord and say:

– what wasn’t working – why this is a problem for you – what you want them to do about it.

Writing Task 2 (an essay)

For some people high salary is an important criterion when choosing a new job. Others are satisfied if the job contributes to the society. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Speaking test

Interview

– What is your full name? – Can I see your ID? – Where are you from? – Do you work or study? – Where do you live now? – Is it a good place for families and children? – What day of the week is your favourite? Why? – What is the busiest day of the week for you? Why? – What can you do to make your day better? – Do you want to change the way things are happening now? – Lets talk about food. – What is your favourite food? Why? – What is your favourite meal? – Do you cook it yourself or not? Why?

Cue Card

Talk about an indoor game that you played in your childhood. Please say

– What game was it? – Did you like it? – Will you teach your children to play this game?

Discussion

– Do you think competitive games have an impact on students in schools? – What can students learn from these games? – What is better in your view, indoor or outdoor games? Why?